PENSION DISCUSSIONS SET FOR APRIL 17
UPDATED March 26, 2008
The City and Union have set April 17 as the date to begin discussion on the use of available Chapter 175 funds. With the funds available, the Union requested a study of additional benefits that we could afford. A listing was presented to us in February and the Executive Board has discussed the benefits with most everyone in the plan. Unofficial balloting was done so that we could get a general direction as to the benefit of choice. We narrowed it down to an increased supplement with 10 year certain; and a decreased wait time for the COLA. Although this would appear to be a negotiation session, it is not. We are presenting your choice of benefit that can be paid for with funds provided by the State for benefit improvements.

NEW UNION APPAREL LINE INTRODUCED
UPDATED April 11, 2008
The Union has introduced a new line of Local 2446 apparel for the membership.  Currently available are 3 new styles of embroidered hats for $15.00 each; a casual dress polo shirt with embroidered logo for $35 and long sleeve denim shirts with embroidered logo for $40. A new union tee shirt is being designed for release in the near future and it will coincide with the new department tee-shirts; and a line of short sleeve, long sleeve tee’s sleeveless shirts and sweat shirts will be available shortly.  To see and or purchase any of the above, just contact any of your Executive Board Officers.

MARCINIK MEMORIAL SHIRTS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE
UPDATED April 11, 2008
New khaki colored pocket tee-shirts issued as a memorial for the late Mike Marcinik are now available from the local. Proceeds from the sale of this shirt will be used to offset the cost of attending the IAFF Fallen Firefighter Memorial later this year.   The new shirt has our traditional logo on the back, the IAFF logo on the front and Mike’s name above the logo.  The shirts are selling for $20.00 and again, proceeds go towards offsetting the cost of our annual attendance at the fallen firefighter memorial in Colorado.  Please see any Executive Board officer to purchase your shirts. 

LAYOFF ARBITRATION UPDATE
UPDATED April 11, 2008    
Just as a quick update, an Arbitrator has been chosen by the Union and City to hear the case over Layoff and Recall for member Mike Havener.  You will recall that brother Havener was laid off as the Senior Fire Inspector, then recalled to work as a Fire Inspector.  In the process, brother  Havener suffered a $20,000 pay cut.  Next step in the process:  Vice President Bliss, George Hunt from the City and the Arbitrator will choose a date and location for the hearing. 

ANNUAL FIREFIGHTER GAMES AND REGISTRATIONS
Updated as of February 13, 2008
Due to the way the State committee collects funds for registration, the Union Executive Board can not provide the funds to sponsor members to the Firefighter Games. This is the second year in a row that this has occurred. The State Committee will not allow one bulk payment for our members to register. They require each individual participant to register and pay the fee. The Union which in the past made the bulk payment for all of our members simply can not write over one hundred checks for registration. Treasurer Scott Adam has indicated that this would be a tremendous problem for the financial bookkeeping that our local is required to perform. The Executive Board in 2007 made the decision to not make individual registration payments and have carried it over to 2008. If the State committee that runs the event goes back to a bulk payment system, then we can once again sponsor our members to the games. We know this will disappoint some of you and we certainly hope you understand the reasoning behind the decision.